Journal article
Is body size variation in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) associated with environmental variables?
E Furlan, J Griffiths, N Gust, R Armistead, P Mitrovski, KA Handasyde, M Serena, AA Hoffmann, AR Weeks
Australian Journal of Zoology | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2011
DOI: 10.1071/ZO11056
Abstract
The body size of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is known to vary across both its latitudinal range and relatively short geographic distances. Here we consider how variation in platypus length and weight associates with environmental variables throughout the species' range. Based on data from over 800 individuals, a Bergmann's cline (increased body size in regions of lower temperature) was detected across the species latitudinal range. The opposite association, however, was present at smaller scales when comparing platypus body size and temperature within southern mainland Australia, or within an individual river basin. Temperature regimes alone clearly did not dictate body size in p..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund, Melbourne Water and the Australian Government via both NRM North and the 'Caring for Our Country' Program for funding. We thank Michael Driessen and Annie Philips from DPIW and the many volunteers for help collecting samples. This work was carried out with ethics approval and wildlife research permits (DPI 09.07, DPI fisheries RP-88-52, RP-90-115, RP-90-197, RP-91-159, RP553 and RP907, DSE 10000387, 1000929, 10001440, 10001899, 10002778, 10003546, 10004761 and 10004130, netting permits FAG/CB/1989-PAN-2 and FOP/BART/30, DPIW 16/2007-08, and Tasmanian Inland Fisheries 2007/47).